One new Covid-19 positive case brings total to 31

Source:  Government Press Release

APIA, SAMOA – 02 FEBUARY 2022: A member of the nursing staff that work in the Isolation Ward is the latest Covid-19 positive case taking the total positive cases in managed isolation to 31.

This follows the sixth testing schedule on 01^st February.

All other 48 passengers continue to test negative and are in good health. The 25 positive tested passengers are all asymptomatic and are in good health

All frontline workers in quarantine continue to present negative test results, remain asymptomatic and in good health. Likewise the 6 nurses in the isolation unit, though positive, are asymptomatic and in good health.

The cumulative total of confirmed cases since the start of the pandemic up to now is 33 and are categorised as follows:

• 2 imported cases identified in quarantine in 2021 – fully recovered
• 25 imported cases identified in the last 14 days in quarantine (passengers)
• 6 locally acquired cases in isolation (nurses)

There are no community cases suspected or identified in the community. There is also vigilant monitoring of breaches of the SOE and in particular, the conditions of quarantine.

Vaccine Rollout
On February 1, at around 16:15Hrs, an Australian Royal Airforce plane arrived with 10,000 of the AstraZeneca vaccine in time for the rollout of the Vaccine program. The intention is to be able to achieve a higher target of the total population that are fully vaccinated as that is important to our herd immunity as well as advance a shift towards the implementation of a booster policy.

A word of appreciation
Samoa is privileged to be well supported in our COVID response by our development partners through many different avenues such as access to adequate Vaccines supplies, the provision of equipment and PPEs and related supplies for preventive health measures, testing capacity supplies, project grants, technical advisory services, training and consultations (conducted virtually).

The Government of Samoa acknowledges the support of all our partners; Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, United Kingdom, United Nations and specialised agencies, USA, and all those who have made significant contributions to the COVAX Facility. We also thank all intergovernmental and regional organisations for facilitating services to ensure essential supplies reach countries in a timely manner.

There is also special acknowledgement of all our frontline workers; our defence line in keeping COVID 19 out or at the border. The public’s demonstration of perseverance and adherence to the conditions of lockdown is commendable.